Romanian prosecutors probe legality of motorcades used by officials, after policeman's death

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania's anti-corruption office has started a criminal probe into the legality of motorcades used by top officials, following the death of a police motorcyclist who was accompanying the interior minister.

The anti-corruption prosecutors' office told The Associated Press Thursday it had begun an inquiry after a non-governmental group and another person filed a complaint about the alleged abuse of rules by top officials.

Policeman Bogdan Gigina died after riding into a hole on Oct. 20. Gigina was in a motorcade easing a route through Bucharest for Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea.

According to the highway code, the president, the prime minister and the speakers of both chambers of parliament are granted the use of police-led motorcades.